It's September! That means Fall!

I am so excited that September is here! I'm looking forward to fall! The cooler weather, leaves changing, and fall cooking. I seem to cook and bake more in the fall than any other time of year. I just love the flavors of fall like pumpkin, apple, cinnamon...yum!

I made some Pumpkin Pancakes yesterday morning and they were a hit.  Emily loved them plain, without syrup. The recipe comes from the Gooseberry Patch Autumn in the Country cookbook. 

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 c. all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. brown sugar, packed

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/2 c. canned pumpkin

1-1/2 c. milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp. oil

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and spices in a large bowl; set aside. Combine remaining ingredients in a seperate bowl; mix well. Stir pumpkin mixture into flour mixture just until moistened. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface; turn and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, until golden. Makes 16 pancakes.

With the end of summer, and the beginning of fall, we've noticed that the butterflies have been extra busy before leaving for the coming winter.  Emily and I took a "butterfly walk", and took some pictures of our colorful friends.

 Emily started 1st grade two weeks ago. She was worried that they would have a test on the first day! She's loved 1st grade so far, and really likes her teacher, and she even lost her first tooth this past week. So far the school year is getting off to a good start!

Have a great week!